Roundup: Jamal Hill And Jessica Long Enjoy ESPYs Experience
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by Karen Price
Every other week we scour the web for the latest going on in the world of U.S. Para swimming. Here’s what you missed!
Para Swimmers At The ESPYs
Paralympian Jamal Hill is always hard at work trying to make the world a better place, whether it’s through his work as an ambassador to the United Nations, his Swim Up Hill Foundation or simply spreading messages of inspiration and positivity on social media.
His work hasn’t gone unnoticed, either. Hill was nominated for the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award at this year’s ESPYs, and although he didn’t win, he was grateful for the recognition.
Hill posted to Instagram, recognizing winners Jrue and Lauren Holiday, as well as fellow nominee Brad Stuver, and thanked his and his foundation’s supporters.
“Thank you to our international @swimuphilldotorg family for trusting me, our network of partners, instructors and volunteers to bring lifesaving swim education to the most obscure parts of the world and to the communities who need it most,” he wrote. “Thank you @espncitizenship for helping to tell the story of our work through the Swim Up Hill Foundation to audiences nationwide.
“Finally thank you all of my personal family and friends that really made this nomination feel so special. Your love and excitement were more award than I could’ve asked for.”
Along with his ESPY nomination, Andscape posted a feature on Hill and his foundation.
Jessica Long, a 29-time Paralympic medalist, was also among those at the ESPYs, and she posted a series of photos with her and fellow sports luminaries including current U.S. women’s national soccer team veteran Tobin Heath, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson and three-time Paralympic medalist Amy Purdy.
You can check out the photos here:
Swimming For A Cause
National team member Taylor Winnett spends a lot of time in the pool as is, but right now she’s swimming to help raise money and awareness for cancer research during Swim Across America. This is Winnett’s third year participating in the event.
“Today begins the 44 day countdown until I swim 2 miles open water in honor of my late friends Grace, Coach Kim, Angela and Luke. I also am swimming in honor of my cancer survivor friend, Mrs. Fritter, as well as my many friends through Para swimming that are cancer survivors,” she wrote. “I am honored to raise money and awareness for those who can’t, and for those who are currently impacted by cancer.”
Winnett’s goal is to raise $1,701 in honor of friends and family members who have passed away or whose lives have been impacted by cancer, including two friends who passed after battling childhood cancer. Grace Bunke fought for 1,333 days, she wrote, and Luke Szekeres fought for 368 days. She wants to raise $1 for each day they fought.
You can read the full post and learn how to donate here:
Focus On Mental Health
Haven Shepherd has been sharing her go-to mental health coping mechanisms, including spending time alone, finding time to be creative and even shopping.
“I believe in the power of solitude in my life. (In balance of course),” she wrote. “This isn’t something that my generation understands or values. We don’t want to be alone with our thoughts. There are so many ways to run away and be distracted but sometimes I just need to slow down and let myself feel the pain. Not always fun but the growth is worth it.”
Shepherd went on to share a few other posts on ways she helps herself feel better when she is going through a tough time.
Unboxing The Good Stuff
Paralympian Lawrence Sapp gave Speedo a big shout out for the box of swag delivered to his house recently.
Check out what was in the box.
Title Sponsor Announced
The 2023 World Para Swimming World Championships are set to take place July 31-August 6 in Manchester, England. The event now has a title sponsor in Allianz, which also sponsored the event in 2019.
Karen Price is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has covered Olympic and Paralympic sports for various publications. She is a freelance contributor to USParaSwimming.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
